Study Focusing on Premature Infants May Help MS Patients

Posted January 22, 2014

A naturally occurring substance called epidermal growth factor appears to reverse a type of brain damage that’s common in very premature infants. Children that are born very early have immature fetal hemoglobin, which affects the transfer of oxygen to the whole body and specifically the brain. This harms the development of the cells that form myelin.

Recovery is possible naturally, but it can occur sooner using epidermal growth hormone (EGF). The EGF treatment worked well in mice only if it was given soon after the injury occurred. Scientists are considering a similar treatment for those with multiple sclerosis since both preemies and people with MS have brains without enough myelin insulation around nerve cells.

However, there could be a downside to the treatment as EGF is known to cause tumors as well.